New Carson-Tahoe Foundation chair

Start a conversation with attorney Steve Tackes, the newly elected chairman of the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation, and it will probably drift to a proposed state-of-the-art cancer center, the first of its kind in the Reno-Carson-Douglas area.

"It seems like every time we turn around, a family member or someone we know has been touched by cancer. It's something that affects all of us and the natural response is, what should we be what doing about it. I'm very excited to be working toward new cancer center," he said.

"The foundation has helped acquire funding for facilities, like the Diabetes Education Center, that would otherwise not be available, but during the last two years we've focused on the cancer center."

An estimated $12 million will be needed to cover the cost of the center and the foundation is trying to raise $2 million to get the project started, according to Tackes.

All services, from oncology to radiology, are in place here, but this building will provide state-of-the-art treatment in a central location, Tackes said.

"It's more than just a building," he said. "All services that go with treating cancer, from diagnosis to a resource library, will be in one central location. E When done right, it's a thing of beauty."

Creation of this center is still in the planning stages and the research is ongoing. In addition to studying other centers in Marysville and Grass Valley, Calif., suggestions from physicians are important, Tackes said.

"We're spending a lot of time with the medical community, to make sure we have a good handle on what building the cancer center will entail," he said. "We should end up with the best."

An attorney specializing in business and technology law, Tackes has lived in Carson City for 21 years. In that time he's done pro bono work for a number of public entities, including the Carson City Airport Authority and the Boy Scouts. He joined the foundation's board three years ago.

"I hadn't had much involvement with the medical aspects of our community but the more I looked into it, the more I realized how essential a component it is, so I joined the board," he said. "As the elderly segment grows, medical care will become an increasingly important aspect here."

The cancer center will most likely be located on the hospital's new campus. Tackes supports the move, saying its the kind of planning that will benefit residents for generations to come.

Tackes became the new chairman of the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Foundation July 31. Originally from Wisconsin, he has two children with his wife, Carol Payne.

He replaces Vicki O'Shaugnessy, who held the position for three years. Other newly elected officers include Vice Chairwoman Catherine Cunningham, Secretary Pia Parapid and Treasurer Bill Creekbaum.